Part 4/11:
The data reveal a grim picture: the economy is moving from a state of no hiring, no firing to no hiring, some firing, and eventually no hiring, a lot of firing. Such a trajectory signals a recessionary environment where businesses are forced to cut costs due to declining revenues, rising costs, and deteriorating consumer sentiment.
The Challenger report highlights a 145% year-over-year increase in retail layoffs, with nearly 89,000 job cuts announced so far in 2025. This sector, heavily dependent on consumer spending, faces challenges from shifting habits and persistent macroeconomic uncertainties. Similarly, warehousing and logistics sectors are contracting as volumes decrease, and firms reevaluate their workforce needs.